Pumpkin Pie Cookie Recipe
Delight in these soft and flavorful Pumpkin Pie Cookies that combine a creamy pumpkin filling with a tender pumpkin-spiced dough. Perfect for fall gatherings or an indulgent treat, these cookies offer the warm flavors of pumpkin pie in a convenient handheld form, topped optionally with whipped cream for extra creaminess.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 18 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert/Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Cookie Dough
- 2 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour (337g)
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 oz cream cheese, room temperature (86g)
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature (6oz)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (110g)
- ½ cup packed brown sugar (112g)
- 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup coarse sugar for rolling (78g)
Pumpkin Filling
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar (56g)
- Pinch table salt
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin spice
- ¼ cup whole milk (2oz)
- ½ cup pumpkin puree (122g)
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Serving
- Whipped cream for serving (optional)
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (175℃). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and set it aside for use later.
- Mix Dry Ingredients for Dough: Whisk together the all-purpose flour, pumpkin spice, and salt in a bowl. This ensures the dry flavorings are evenly distributed.
- Make the Cookie Dough Base: In a large mixing bowl, beat the room temperature cream cheese, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes until the mixture becomes fluffy. Scrape down the bowl sides and beat again to ensure even mixing. Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, blending until incorporated.
- Combine Flour into Dough: Gradually add the flour mixture in three additions into the wet ingredients. Fold with a spatula, scraping the sides to avoid any dry pockets. The dough will become thick and pliable.
- Prepare Pumpkin Filling: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg, brown sugar, a pinch of salt, pumpkin spice, whole milk, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
- Shape Cookies: Using a medium cookie scoop, roll the dough into 2-tablespoon balls (about 36g each). Roll each dough ball in coarse sugar to coat completely.
- Arrange Dough Balls: Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared cookie sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
- Create Wells in Dough: Using a 1-tablespoon measuring spoon, gently press down on each dough ball to form a small well or indentation in the center of each cookie to hold the filling.
- Fill Cookies: Spoon 1 tablespoon of the prepared pumpkin filling into each cookie well carefully.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 14 to 17 minutes, or until the cookies are set and the bottoms turn a light golden brown.
- Cool: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before handling further.
- Repeat Baking: Repeat the rolling, filling, and baking process with any remaining dough, ensuring the cookie sheet has cooled before adding new dough balls to prevent spreading.
- Serve: When ready to serve, optionally top each cookie with a dollop or pipe of whipped cream. For extra flavor, sprinkle with additional pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon and enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure all dairy ingredients are at room temperature for smooth batter and filling textures.
- Coarse sugar coating adds a pleasant crunchy texture to cookie exterior.
- Use fresh pumpkin puree or canned for convenience; avoid pumpkin pie filling which contains added spices and sweeteners.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerated for up to a week.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
- Allow the cookie sheet to cool between batches to maintain cookie shape and prevent excess spreading.
Keywords: pumpkin pie cookies, pumpkin spice cookies, fall cookies, pumpkin dessert, creamy pumpkin filling cookies